Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Indoor mobile coverage data is crucial, especially as 3G networks are switched off.
Recommendation
For the Shared Rural Network programme, the Department reports progress on improving outdoor coverage and not indoor coverage. The Department confirmed that it collects data on indoor coverage. Understanding whether people can get a mobile signal indoors is important because, for example, people in rural constituencies may use 4G as an alternative to having a fixed broadband connection at home.37 Furthermore, mobile network operators have started switching off their 3G signals. This may mean that people who can get 4G outside their home but can currently only get a 3G signal inside may be left without mobile data indoors when their operator switches off 3G. The Department explained that Ofcom has agreed clear expectations with the mobile network operators that, as they switch-off their 3G services, they need to provide a similar 4G service.38
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom to improve mobile coverage reporting, including exploring additional data sources and consumer reporting mechanisms, and will ask Ofcom to examine cases where 3G switch-off leads to loss of connectivity and to report on standalone 5G coverage.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2025 4.2 Ofcom has an ongoing programme of work to improve mobile coverage reporting, which includes: • Obtaining further information from MNOs about signal strength at a more granular level and about signal quality; • Experimenting with crowd sourced data; • Considering whether the signal strength thresholds they use remain appropriate as consumer demands and technologies evolve. 4.3 The department is working with Ofcom to explore options for providing more accurate reporting, including exploring ways in which data from third parties can be incorporated into Ofcom’s data. As well as considering the use of crowd sourced data and measurement data provided by local authorities and other third parties, the department will work with Ofcom to consider other ways that consumers can report gaps in coverage. 4.4 Ofcom has set out its expectations for how the Mobile Network Operators should implement the switch- off of 2G and 3G networks to ensure that customers are treated fairly and can continue to access the services they need. The department will ask that Ofcom examines any cases where areas have lost all mobile connectivity following 3G switch off. 4.5 The department has asked Ofcom to report on the extent of standalone 5G coverage as it starts to be deployed and to keep under review its definitions of good 4G and 5G coverage to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. The department will continue to engage with Ofcom as it refines its reporting mechanisms for 5G standalone and its review of the definitions of good 4G and 5G coverage.